Cyberjaya marks its 20th anniversary by reinventing itself as a smart city with global tech hub ambitions bolstered by 11 major announcements.

Photo - A project by Cyberview in partnership with MRCB Land Sdn Bhd, the Cyberjaya City Centre's first phase is estimated to have a Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM5.3 billion over 7 years and will consist of commercial blocks, an integrated lifestyle and retail arena, serviced residential complexes and a convention centre

On its recent 20th anniversary, Malaysia's Cyberjaya is adopting a new ambition as a model smart city and as a global tech hub bolstered by 11 major announcements.

"In the space of 20 years, Cyberjaya has undergone a remarkable transformation; from an IT Hub under the Multimedia Super Corridor into a Global Tech Hub and critical contributor to Malaysia's digital economy," Najib said.

"Indeed, the city has gone from strength to strength over the years; in 2016 Malaysia's MSC Malaysia status companies generating more than RM12.5 billion revenue, an increase of 28 percent from previous year," he said. "This contribution comes hand in hand with the city's attractiveness as a base for innovations; with 40 percent of its population being high-value knowledge workers and housing 60 percent of Malaysia's data centres amongst many other milestones achieved," he said.

"Looking ahead, we have made decisive strides to push Malaysia into the digital economy - pursuant with goals laid out in our National Transformation 2050 (TN50) vision," he said.

The event included 11 major announcements, as well as the establishment of an R&D and innovation hub, and a regional centre for big data in Cyberjaya. "As a model for Smart City developments nationwide - now further spurred by the announcements made today - I am fully confident in Cyberjaya's potential to contribute significantly to these goals," said Najib.

These moves are geared to speed up Cyberjaya's transformation into a global technology hub, said Dato' Faris Yahaya, managing director of Cyberview, which has been tasked as the tech hub enabler for Cyberjaya.

"Cyberjaya has today reached a tipping point in its journey and I am happy to see the confidence displayed not only by the Government but also by enterprises in the city's ability to deliver against both national and business goals," commented Faris.